Getting updates from the software or hardware maker
Many companies provide free software updates for their software products. HP and Compaq computers come with a wide variety of hardware components and software titles provided by HP partners. If you are having an issue with a software title or hardware device driver and you cannot find an update from HP, try looking at the product manufacturer's Web site.
You might find software and drivers from these sites that provide technologies used on many HP or Compaq computers:
| CAUTION: | Do not install BIOS updates from the Motherboard manufacturer's Web site! Doing so might prevent the computer from accepting an HP system recovery. Only install BIOS updates from HP. |
AMD utilities and drivers (Processor utilities, AMD Live!):
AMD.com
(in English), downloads can be found in the support section.
Intel hardware and software (chipsets, Intel RAID, Viiv):
Intel Download Center
(in English) (Select "desktop" items from the left navigation bar).
Microsoft (Windows, Microsoft software, and many hardware drivers):
Microsoft Download Center
(in English). (You can also use Windows Update).
Also, many software applications have an obtain update feature
. Connect to the Internet, open the software, and click Obtain Updates
, Check for Updates
, or similar from the software program. A good example of this type of feature is the Live Update feature in Symantec Antivirus software products.
Frequently asked questions about software and drivers
I loaded another version of Windows and cannot find drivers. What do I do?
First, find the names of the various hardware components on your computer. The most important component is the chipset because it can drive many of the onboard components such as network, sound and even video. To find a name for a computer component, use Windows System Information (click Start
, All Programs
, Accessories
, and then System Tools
). You can also view the product specifications document on the HP Customer Care Web site.
Second, find and install the latest chipset driver package for the new operating system. The chipset contains core driver functionality for onboard components (such as sound and networking). If your computer does not have an Internet connection, download the chipset from another computer and save it to a CD or USB storage device to transfer it to your computer. For more help on where to find chipsets and other downloads, see the preceding section
Getting updates from the software maker
.
Last, after you have found and installed the chipset, download and install the latest drivers for any components that are not functioning. For example, if you do not hear any sound from your computer and it uses Realtek high-definition audio, download and install a new high-definition sound driver from either Microsoft or Realtek's Web site.
Replace hardware components when drivers are unavailable. For example, if you changed your operating system from Windows Vista to Linux and a Linux sound driver is not available, install a sound card and driver that is compatible with Linux.
| CAUTION: | Unless otherwise specified, HP does not support software that did not originally come with the computer because the product is changed to a configuration that HP did not design. See your warranty for details. Also, do not upgrade or downgrade an operating system without first finding compatible drivers for all the components on your computer. If you must change the operating system, burn a recovery disc set to restore the computer if compatibility problems occur. |
Where can I find software for my printer, scanner, or camera?
If you have an HP printer, scanner, or camera, HP posts software and drivers on the support site for each particular printer, scanner, model numbers - not on the computer support pages. That is, you will not find a printer driver from the software and driver download page that belongs to your HP computer. You should go to the
HP Software Download
page and enter the model name of your HP printer, scanner, or camera and you will probably find the software you are looking for.
If you have a printer, scanner, camera, or other device that was not provided by HP (contains the HP or Compaq brand), you must look for software from the manufacturer of the device.
Where can I find a driver that upgrades USB 1.0/1.1 to USB 2.0?
You will
not
find a driver upgrade that can upgrade a USB port from 1.0/1.1 to 2.0. The port hardware must be capable of supporting the 2.0 standard before the speed of 2.0 can be achieved. However, if the computer displays messages about connecting a USB 2.0 device into a higher speed USB port and you know a USB 2.0 port is on the computer, the USB controller drivers might need to be upgraded. To get any available updates for Windows 98SE or Windows ME, use
Windows Update
. To get any available updates for Windows Vista or Windows XP, use the following steps:
Connect to the Internet.
Open Device Manager:
Click the plus sign (+
) next to Other Devices.
If there are any references to USB, such as USB Host Controller, right-click the name and select Update Driver Software
.
Follow the information in the screens that open to download and install any available updates.
The name in other devices should be removed and added to the proper category (Universal Serial BUS Controllers).
Test the USB device again. If the message appears, continue using these steps. If the message no longer opens, you are done.
If there are no more references to USB in the other devices category, click the plus sign (+
) next to Universal Serial Bus Controllers.
Right-click the name of one of the Universal Host controllers and select Update Driver software
.
If any downloads were installed, test the USB device to see if the message continue to appear.
Where can I find Linux (or FreeDOS) drivers?
Linux and FreeDOS are developed in the open source community and drivers can usually be found from postings on community sites. For more information about FreeDOS and Linux and how these operating systems apply to HP and Compaq desktop computers, please refer to the HP support document
Linux Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
.
I tried everything and I am still having trouble finding a driver for network, video, bus controller, a dll file, USB, or other computer component. What do I do?
You may not need a software or driver.
If you are looking for a driver because an error message is opening, try searching HP or the Internet using the exact error message text. HP and its partners provide many support documents that provide known fixes for error messages.
If you are looking for a device driver because you have updated Windows, you may not need a driver. Windows can natively find and install drivers through the plug and play process or through the Windows Update process. If Windows cannot fully recognize the name of the device, Windows may show the device as an "other device" in Device Manager. If this is the case, do the following.
| NOTE: | Hardware devices (video, sound, network cards, and similar) that were not designed for plug and play may not work in a computer that is upgraded to Windows ME and later. If this is the case, you should probably replace the hardware device with one that is compatible with your upgraded operating system. |
Connect to the Internet if the computer is not already connected.
Open Device Manager:
Click the plus sign (+
) next to Other Devices. If Other Devices is not listed, Windows was able to identify and set up all plug and play hardware on the computer.
Right-click a name of one of the unknown devices and select Update Driver software.
Follow the directions on the pages that open to install any available driver updates through Windows.
The name in other device should be removed and added to the proper category. For example, a previously unknown network card would appear in the network adapters category.
If any downloads were installed, test the device to see if it is now functioning properly.
